Around world in 120 films

February 27, 2008|By Phoebe Flowers Staff Writer

The 25th edition of the Miami International Film Festival cruises into theaters from Coral Gables to North Miami Beach on Thursday with a new director at the wheel. Patrick de Bokay, formerly the head of the Bangkok International Film Festival and a marketing executive for 20th Century Fox and Turner Pictures Worldwide Distribution, took over at the close of the 2007 installment from Nicole Guillemet, who had served as director since 2002.

"We have in Miami a unique audience," said de Bokay, 52, who was born and raised in Paris. "Miami is multicultural. Miami could have a world passport. You can show in Miami any type of film, because you have somebody, somewhere that would be interested in it."

To that end, de Bokay and his staff at Miami Dade College, which sponsors the event, have assembled a robust lineup of about 120 movies from 50 countries to screen through March 9. And while sure bets are hard to come by at any film festival, here is a sampling of the offerings we think are worth checking out.

Under the Same Moon : The opening-night selection was warmly received a year ago at its Sundance world premiere, with Variety calling this Mexican drama a "mainstream-friendly crowd-pleaser." Patricia Riggen directs the story of a mother and her son separated by the U.S. border - and, more to the point, the issue of illegal immigration. (7 p.m. Thursday, Gusman)

Snow Angels : Another standout from the 2007 Sundance fest, but with some more-recognizable names. The dependably sensitive David Gordon Green (All the Real Girls, Undertow) helms this domestic drama starring Griffin Dunne, Sam Rockwell, Amy Sedaris, Juno's Olivia Thirlby and Kate Beckinsale (in what is supposed to be her best performance in years, not that there's much competition there). (7 p.m. Friday, Colony)

Once Upon a Time in the West : No, it's not a remake of the 1968 Sergio Leone classic - it's a restoration. The fresh print of the iconic western, which stars Henry Fonda, Jason Robards and Charles Bronson, makes its U.S. debut at the festival, preceded by a brief presentation on the restoration process. (4 p.m. Sunday, Gusman)

DM-ificit : Lissome Mexican actor Gael GarcM-ma Bernal (The Motorcycle Diaries, Babel) has gotten mixed reviews for his directorial debut. But here's the thing: He's also in the movie. So you can just, you know, look at him. (5 p.m. Sunday, Colony)

Run, Fatboy, Run : Maybe the words "directed by David Schwimmer" don't inspire a whole lot of enthusiasm, but star and co-writer Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) should. Pegg worked on the script for this comedy, also featuring Thandie Newton and Hank Azaria, with Michael Ian Black of the comedy troupe the State. (9:30 p.m. March 7, Gusman)

The Unknown Woman : Cinema Paradiso director Giuseppe Tornatore's first film since 2000's Monica Bellucci-starring MalM-hna is a thriller focusing on a young Ukrainian cleaning woman who edges her way into a wealthy family. (9:30 p.m. March 8, Gusman)